Nicholas Hytner and Tom Stoppard in conversation, National Theatre Platform

Tom Stoppard, despite being a playwright of national importance, hasn’t had a play on at the National Theatre for over a decade. The theatre’s Artistic Director, Nicholas Hytner, “has been nagging him twice a year since 2001” for another play. It has finally arrived, in the form of The Hard Problem, and it will be the last thing Hytner directs before he hands over the theatre’s reins. Their conversation should give us a fascinating insight into the working relationship between two theatrical titans.
The Hard Problem asks the question, ‘what is consciousness?’. As weighty as this sounds, the multi-award-winning Arcadia (1993) handled similarly complicated scientific issues with a deftly witty touch, and after more than 50 years in the business, there’s no doubt Stoppard knows what he’s doing. Nonetheless, it’s a difficult concept to stage, and it will be very interesting to hear the reasons behind Hytner’s decisions. Both men are establishment figures who wear that status lightly, both highly intelligent but never dull. To hear them discuss this long-awaited play will be a pleasure.